Woulda? Coulda? Shoulda?

With the evil perpetrated on the unfortunate doctor and his beautiful family in Connecticut this week, I don't want to sensationalize the event in here, nor second guess the victims, but I feel that some comment is warranted. When I first read the headlines, I once again thanked the powers that be that here in the Great State of Texas, personal handguns for home protection are available and legal, The police can't protect all of us all the time!

Thus, I assumed that Connecticut was one of those liberal Yankee states that prohibit the ownership of such weapons. Imagine my amazement when I found that they are not only legal, but are allowed in multiples in that state. If the good doctor (husband and father) had purchased a couple of handguns, trained himself, wife and daughters in the safe use of such weapons -- and hid them strategically around the house... might these two evil doers armed only with their prison bulked strength and an air rifle, have been thwarted and driven off. We'll never know.
It has happened in Connecticut in the recent past:


Homeowner fends off armed home invaders
(Originally ran here as:"Armed homeowner scares off invaders"June 30, 2001, The Republican-American)

NEW FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT - Two suspects were being sought Friday in an armed home invasion attempt that failed when a victim fired a gun.
The incident took place about 10:30 p.m. Thursday when a couple returned to their home after an evening out, state police said.
Two men armed with a rifle rushed the couple arriving at home and forced their way inside. A struggle followed and the homeowner fired a gun several times, causing the suspects to flee.
The two men fled the home in a Chevy Blazer that later was involved in an accident. The suspects fled on foot.
A search of the area by state troopers and police dogs failed to turn up any trace of the suspects.
No one was injured, state police said.